Opening Cuban Markets Good for Cubans and Americans

News Release from Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX)

by Rep. Ron Paul

Washington,
DC: Congressman Ron Paul is working with several congressional
colleagues this week to end trade restrictions that hurt Texas farmers.
While the House considers several large spending bills, including
a bill that funds agricultural programs, Paul and others plan to use
the amendment process to block the Cuban agricultural embargo. More
than 270 members of the House voted in April to allow private financing
for agricultural sales to Cuba by American banks, and Paul hopes that
momentum from that vote will spill over into this week.

"Decades
of agricultural trade sanctions have done nothing to topple the Castro
regime, but they have hurt American farmers and the Cuban people,"
Paul stated. "Our farmers should not be denied access to markets
because of a misguided and ineffective State department policy. Our
current approach simply opens the door for farmers around the world
to exploit the Cuban market. Rather than punishing our farmers with
trade embargoes, Congress should be eliminating barriers and opening
new markets like Cuba."

Paul
notes that trade advisory groups estimate U.S. exports of food to
Cuba could amount to $400 million within five years. He introduced
legislation last year that would allow free trade and travel with
Cuba, while banning and federal aid or subsidies for the island nation.